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It was late at night — probably around 1 a.m. — when I started thinking about the past and remembered the good ol’ Jets Nation Mailbag. So I thought, why not bring it back? Here we are with the revival of the Mailbag, and we’ve got some solid questions and hot takes to dig into.

Let’s kick it off with one from @blakejgood7 on Instagram: “Bench Appleton, he’s done nothing.”

Starting off spicy! Mason Appleton is one of those players who can be tough to read. Some nights, he’s a ghost on the third line and other nights he’s making plays, scoring, and setting up his linemates. That inconsistency has carried into the postseason — it’s been a bit of a mixed bag.

He took some heat online after Morgan Barron’s game-tying goal was called back for offside in Game 6. But let’s be real — Appleton was clearly offside. It wasn’t even close, and yeah, a little more effort to stay onside would’ve helped. That said, look at Game 5 — he put up three assists. It’s not that he can’t produce, he just struggles to do it consistently.

Appleton’s a capable playmaker who can also finish when given the opportunity. But given the Jets’ current injuries and the way the lineup is structured, I wouldn’t bench or scratch him. Realistically, who are you putting in instead? Once the Jets are fully healthy, that third line — Appleton, Lowry, and Niederreiter — can be a real asset again.

@imdascatman13 on Instagram: “We need Fetts and Connor on a line.”

This take has some legs. Cole Perfetti is a high-IQ playmaker who thrives when paired with skilled shooters. He can make plays at top speed, has the hands to finish, and competes hard on pucks despite his smaller frame. Kyle Connor? Easily one of the best pure shooters on the team. On paper, the pairing makes a lot of sense — especially with Mark Scheifele’s status uncertain for Game 1 against Dallas on Wednesday.

To be completely honest, Connor hasn’t looked great lately. Game 7 against St. Louis was arguably his worst of the series — he was careless with the puck and struggled defensively. His turnover in the middle of the ice directly led to Mathieu Joseph’s goal that made it 2–0 for the Blues.

Perfetti isn’t exactly known for his defence either, but Connor has been more noticeably lacking in that area. Offensively, though, this duo could generate some serious chances — especially if Scheifele is unavailable. But if they do get paired up, both will need to be sharper in their own end.

@em.fangirl_ on Instagram: “Do you think the Jets will be able to beat Dallas?”

This is a big one. The Stars are a strong team — they’ve got some of the most dangerous offensive players in the league with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Mikko Rantanen, and their defense is solid, especially with Miro Heiskanen running the show. Goaltending is also a key factor, with Jake Oettinger looking like one of the top netminders in the league.

That said, the Jets have shown they can hang with anyone when they’re firing on all cylinders. The big question will be health and consistency. If they get a full-strength lineup with players like Scheifele, Connor, Ehlers, Morrissey, and a locked-in Connor Hellebuyck, they’re a tough team to beat. But if they have to rely on a banged-up squad, it could be an uphill battle.

The key for Winnipeg will be discipline — Dallas has a lethal power play. If the Jets can stay out of the box, limit turnovers, and get timely goaltending, they’ve got a shot.

So, there you have it — the return of the Jets Nation Mailbag. A lot to consider as the Jets gear up for their series against Dallas. Whether it’s shaking up the lines, sticking with Appleton, or getting healthy, it’s clear there are some big decisions ahead for Winnipeg. But with the right adjustments, the Presidents’ Trophy winners have what it takes to compete with anyone.

Keep the questions coming, and we’ll do this again soon. Until next time, let’s go Jets!